Bucket Hat Blitz

 

I downloaded a free pattern for a bucket hat with multiple sizes.

I planned to make several different colored hats 

to wear in water aerobics.

I cut out this hat from quilting fabric.

The free pattern had directions but not for the reversible hat I wanted.

So, I just sewed the crown and sides of the outer and inner fabrics.

Then I sewed the outer and inner brims together.

When I sewed the top to the brim, it didn't fit right.

The top part had stretched and the only way to fix it 

was to make tucks in two places.

It's wearable but not too pretty.

I finished the raw edge of the lining by turning under an eighth inch and stitching it down.

I cut out another pair of hats.

This time I used canvas fabric that is 

much heavier than quilting cotton.

Also, I looked at some video directions 

for making reversible bucket hats.

Success! I made each hat -crown to brim - then sewed them together along the outer edge of the brim.

I left a 3 inch space open to turn the hat right side out.

I topstitch around the brim that closed the turning space.

I stitched several times around the brim. 

Tada. A reversible bucket hat.

After looking at my photo above I decided the hat was too tall.

I compared the side section to a similar hat I bought.

It was about a half inch shorter.

So I shortened the pattern and made one more.

 

Perfect! The above fabric is leftover from dining room curtains.

And the one below is from a tablecloth I made.

I offered to make some hats for L & D but they passed.

Too bad ...

They could have been invisible in front of the curtains like me.

The takeaway -

Canvas is a better fabric choice for hats.

Make a practice one or two when using a free pattern.

Now there is a box of knit fabric calling my name.

Happy Sewing!

How to make a Friendship Star Flower

At the end of May my term as president 

of Uncommon Threads Quilt Guild will be over.

Members make out-going presidents a block to remember the year.

I liked this Friendship Star Flower block but could not find directions.

So I am writing the directions here.

Fabric requirements:

Fabric A - (3) 5" squares any flower color

Fabric B - (4) 5" squares any flower color

Fabric C - (2) 5" squares green preferred

Use any quilting cotton, solid or patterned.

The variety will make it special.

Mark a diagonal line on the reverse side of the B squares.

Pair two A squares with two B squares and 

pair the other two B squares with the two C squares.

Make half square triangles from the pairs.

Sew a quarter inch seam of each side of the marked line.

Cut the two halves apart between the parallel seams.

Now there are four half square triangle blocks in each color combination.

Trim each square to 4.5 inches including the center square.

Blok Lok is helpful with the half squares but not required.

The star can spin either way.

After trimming, sew the squares together like a 9 patch block.

Below is a finished block.

Remember to sign the block.

I like to spin the seams.

The block should measure 12.5 inches now.

Thanks! Happy Sewing.

 

More May finishes

I bought a quilt book with patterns for letters, numbers, & punctuation marks.

Our quilt guild agreed to make 30 mini quilts for new Habitat homeowners.

This one was fun to design and sew.

Finished with label and hanging sleeve.

One last photo.

I took these photos to show how to make a Friendship Star Flower block.

I used 5 inch blocks in 3 colors.

Color A is in the center.

Four half square triangles with colors A & B.

Four half square triangles with colors B & C.

Trim all the blocks to 4.5 inches.

Sew together as shown.

Block is 12.5 inches unfinished.

Now back to the Sewcialites 3 blocks.

Happy Sewing!

 

Early May Projects

Not yet two weeks into May and I have finished several projects.

First, I made little finger puppets for my preschool choir kids.

They sang about Noah and the Ark, so I made these wolves.

Surely wolves were on the ark?

Next, it was David's 10th birthday.

I asked what he wanted and he replied - a costume.

He chose a Renaissance doublet like I made for Noah Lesh several years ago.

Since I couldn't get the same fabric as the first doublet, Emily suggested anything with gold.

I found this maroon and gold decorator fabric at a local shop.

I added a gold cotton lining, gold trim, and gold buttons.

The finished doublet.

I used my serger and sewing machine.

There are 19 buttons! Four on each sleeve and eleven on the front.

Instead of buttonholes I used gold cord loops.

It will take help to get dressed in this heavy coat.

After the costume I finished a skirt and shoulder bag for Miss Ava.

This is the baguette pattern with an adjustable strap.

The lining is two pink fabrics because I didn't have enough of either one.

The baby quilt I shared in the previous post is now finished.

I used a multicolored stripe for the binding.

What's sewing at your place?

Happy sewing!